Thanksgiving: Gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving, Friends!!!!!!!!!!!  I want to wish everyone a sincerely wonderful Thanksgiving Day, and a wonderful kickoff to the winter holiday season.  I want to take this time to thank each and every person who reads my blog, who leaves me positive & uplifting comments, who tells me that my blog has helped change them for the better, and thank you to all of you who write me telling me that you love my recipes and that I am helping you transform your dietary choices and your life. 
Such high praise, and thank you, sincerely.  Without all of you who read my blog, I wouldn't have a blog.  So thank you, and I am grateful for you all!!!!!!!!!!!


 I wanted to write a list of some things I am grateful for on this holiday and I will get to that, but first...

I'm glad you enjoyed my Everyday Eats post yesterday.  Keeping things simple the day before the big cooking & eating fest was the name of the game.  Foods like overnight soaked oats

Green Salads

And Kale Salads with Fresh Veggies for dinners were where it was at.

And either Raw Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Or Raw Vegan Almond Butter Cookies for dessert  

All these foods comprise the simple, easy, pleasurable, stress-free way of eating I like best.  Not just the day before Thanksgiving, but in general, easy, simple, fresh, short ingredient lists, straightforward recipes, home-made, but not kitchen-enslaved, foods are how I like to cook and eat. 

For Thanksgiving, I made a turkey for Scott.  He's not vegan, but 95% of the time goes along with my vegan fare.  He requests very little culinary-speaking but did request turkey, so I wanted to honor that request and I made one.  It was a very conscious choice, not just mindless eating nor embarked upon on whim.  I made a small bone-in turkey breast. (It was not appetizing for me to handle the raw bird, but I cloth-diapered Skylar so there is very little that makes me squirm anymore.  Sorry, about the TMI).

I also made Gravy, Stuffing, Sweet Potato Fries, Baked White Potatoes, Salads, and Dessert.  We had enough food.  No worries there.  And I will post pics of everything in the next day.  For now, I am trying to keep this post really simple because not gonna lie, I did bust a hump in the kitch today and don't have it in me to get all the pics up now.  Tomorrow, they'll be up, promise.


Here are some of the things I am grateful for:
My Husband
My Daughter
Being a homeowner
Having a body that I can use to do yoga, run, dance, walk, and move freely about the world
My yoga practice
Being hired to teach yoga
My blog
My blog readers
Finding the path that's right for me in terms of dietary choices
Friends I've made in the blogosphere
Friends from my childhood
Having plenty of "stuff"
Not having to worry about how to pay the electric bill or pay for groceries
Being able to take vacations with my family
Learning & being able to cook in a whole new way after food intolerances
Being appreciated by my readers
Living in a warm climate
My brain
My creativity
My sensitivity
Meaningful connection with others
Blue skies
Sunshine
Clean Water
Clean Food
The People Who Love Me

I could go on and on and on about what I am grateful for but my Tip of the Day is to Practice Gratitude.  Be grateful for that which you do have, focus on that.  Do not dwell or obsess on that which you don't.  It serves no purpose and will hinder you from seeing, feeling, observing, and being grateful for all that you do have.

Yoga today is full backbend, Urdhva Dhanurasana.  Open your heart center and let the love flow in.  Let yourself receive healing energy, peaceful vibes, and love from the Universe.  And then give back.  Be grateful.  Be giving.  Be loving.  Be Thankful.  Namaste Friends!

I think everyone 'round the Blogosphere has been asking What are you Grateful For?  And I will ask you now, too.  Tell me something you're grateful for.  Do you have an easy time practicing gratitude or do you find yourself dwelling on things you don't have or things you wish you had?  I think we'd be lying to ourselves if we said, oh, it's always easy and I never compare, I never have a hard time just accepting that which I have and not wishing for something else.  How do you get past this?  It's so important to realize we're only human, take a quick minute for your pity party, but then get back on track with a positive mental attitude, being grateful, and welcoming in the love and light that surrounds us.  That's my strategy at least, tell me about yours.

Stay Tuned For My Thanksgiving Food Spread Photos & Recipes...